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It's another crazy year in my world of entropy. I am engaged now and very excited. It will be a little while before we can get married due to money constraints, but it will happen.
I like things simple. I hope to give honest and useful advice. I don't believe in giving answers just to get good feedback. 98% of all questions put in my inbox will be answered. The only ones I don't answer are those too young to be here or too obscene/disrespectful. I don't know everything, but I think I can help a lot.

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Gender: Female
Location: AL
Age: 33
Yahoo: chaosd
Member Since: November 6, 2003
Answers: 842
Last Update: November 25, 2009
Visitors: 69052

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Im after songs like stand in the rain by superchick.
thnx








Try going to www.pandora.com. Type in either the song or the group, and it will find songs just like that. You can create different stations based on what you already like for free.

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I am an aspiring opera singer: I take private voice lessons and only practice about an hour per day but lately I have been experiencing fairly sharp pains on my vocal chords after singing. These pains usually do not last more than a few minutes but I am worried that they might be a sign of possible voice damage. Is this something every young singer goes through or is it a serious cause for worry?

It warrants a trip to the doctor. You shouldn't be having pains after you sing. It might be as simple as a rest, but it could be serious. You really need to see someone about it because it could end your career if ignored.

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Okay, so I've been doing piano for like 5 years now. When I first got a piano I really wanted to take lessons, but that's when I was like...10? Now it's become insane. It ruins my social life, and I don't practice so my really mean Russian teacher gets really mad! I've asked my mom to let me quit, but she gets so mad whyen I ask and says no! What do I do? I want to quit!

You aren't going to like this. I had to/wanted to quit when I was 14. I had been taking a few years and was on my 3rd piano teacher. I broke both of my arms and it was over. I am not saying go break something. I am saying that I wish I could remember one song because there is a Steinway D on the stage 100 feet from my desk and all I can play is freaking jingle bells.
I am happy I did take all of those lessons. I think it help me appreciate music more. But if I did, I could be stage managing opera right now becuase the cues follow the music.

Me me me...any way. It sounds like you need to manage your time better so that you can still have a social life. Have you tried hanging out with other people who would either appreciate listening to you practice or practice themselves? You could have a nice duet.

And I have done all the stalling...15 minutes of scales, repeating stuff I already know. Going through the entire book. Go listen to some symphony or chamber orchestra to inspire you. Some very young people are playing some awesome music. You may never be a virtuso, but you can lead your family in Christmas Carols and other fun stuff.

Have you tried asking about a specific piece of music you would actually like to learn? Even something very comtemporary? You could try making a deal with your teacher: one classical or what she wants, and one you want. You have to do some homework to find it, but you will.

You just have to wait until your mom wears down if you are really set on quitting. Tell her what you would like to spend your time on. And its going to have to be good for you as in sports or volunteer work.

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i just got a record deal. But they want me to do all these things I dont want to do. How do i tell them i want to do some things my way without getting fired?


You still need to be involved in some savvy give and take. You give in to some of their thoughts, and they give you some of your desires. Instead of saying no, turn it into a more positive "what if we did it this way." Things get a little easier after the first record because you become more savvy.

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okay... well me and a few of my friends are starting a band, and allison wants to play guitar but she has no friggin clue what shes doing!(iv'e been playing guitar for a few years and she just started like last week) and she was going to be a singer in the first place, but i have no clue how to tell her that she doesn't know how to play guitar, and NO i can't just go up to her and say "you can't play guitar" or "you suck" because i'm not the kind of person that can do something like that. help please!

"Allison, you are such a good singer. We really need you to focus on singing right now. Maybe after several weeks of playing we can let you do a few pieces with us on guitar, but we don't want a hole in our band where you should be singing."
Then help her with the guitar. There is no reason she can't eventually do both with lots of practice.

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My problem is that I am going to participate in a school talent show in the near future and I am not quite sure if "Jenny Was A Friend Of Mine" is a good song to sing...do you think that is a good song for me? It might also help if I told you that:
1. I want to sort of "blend in" with the song.
2. I am an alto.
3. Would you reccomend any other songs for karaoke on the CD instead?
~13-year-old girl~

It is difficult to see if the song is working for you over the net. See if you have a friend with a karaoke machine that can lend it to you. Try a test audience with a few of your friends to help you decide what works for you. Remember to breathe from your "stomach" not your head. Practice helps a lot. Be sure that what you are singing isn't a strain on you, but accentuates what you already have.

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I love singing cuz I look up to Alicia Keys I take up piano and I love to sing but my brother and sister make fun of me.Whenever I plan on writing songs I need the right sound but my sister won't let me use the keyboard.She yells at me no it's in my room not yours do you apprehend or is that to big a word for you and so I have to tell her something in big words so she'll shut up for a few minutes.I go to my room and second guess my talent.I wonder when I was in the 4th grade was I only in the All city chorus cuz the other people sucked?If I want to live my dream what should I do while juggling myschool,love,home,and musical life at once? I have too much pressure what do I do?

Definitely get in contact with your local music teacher to steer you in the right direction. You will also want to check out either a fine arts high school or college in the future.
In the meantime, I would be saving up money like crazy to have a keyboard (maybe Santa will bring you one). That way whenever you get a spare moment you can work on your songwriting. You just have to find a way to get it all done. It is a good skill to have, and balancing your time will help you in any job and life in the future.

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This coming sunday (The 19th) I'm supposed to sing a duet. The person I'm singing with isn't comfortable singing though her voice is reasonable. She feels immbarrised to stand up and sing in sacrament so we talked with the person that asked us and sister Naylor is going to have her daughter who as a matter of fact, a beautiful singer. I personaly don't want to have Lori sing with us because we will be zoned out for one, Anna and I are not the best singers. The most we can do is stay on pitch and I honestly have never sung in front of anyone because...Well I really don't have that beautiful singing voice that some have. And Two she hasn't practiced with us. (We have to sing with a Harp) So my question to all of you is what do I do? Should I just keep my mouth quiet and just sing with Lori and Anna and not say anything, Or should I share my oppinion with sis. Naylor? I would rather be heard without Lori taking control.

Just try to give me some good advice please.
AG

Tell her how you feel about Lori butting in. Then both of you practice like the dickens. The more comfortable you are with the music, the more confident you can be with your performance. Everybody gets nervous. Just channel it to the good. Pray for confidence, and remember you are doing it to praise God. Your best is all you can give.

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I lost my voice about a month ago when I went to a singing camp. I had basically overused my voice. Usually I am asked to sing at weddings and such, so my voice is important to me as a way to earn money and express myself. However, after my voice came back after losing it, it has changed. It almost seems for airy, or not as strong. I feel like I forgot how to sing in a way. This has never happened before. I can still sing, but it wasn't as good as it was. Any suggestions on how to build my voice back up to its full potential?

You absolutely need to see a doctor. It could be serious enough to end your singing career forever. All of the practice in the world won't help if it is a physical problem. There could be a polyp, callous, or some sort of paralyzing of your vocal chords.

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Okay, well i really love show choir, it might sound dorky to some people but i LOVE it. So now im going to a HUGE high school, and theres not many freshman that make it into my schools show choir group, so at my audition i want to be able to sing REALLY good. I dont really need a private teacher right now, and i sing a whole bunch, but does any body know any good tips for me to make me become a better singer?

Definitely drink a lot of water. Don't drink carbonated sodas and juice. Lemon juice in decaf tea or just plain water is ok. Don't eat anything two hours before you go to bed. Sing every day, and spend at least an hour warming up. Think of it as athelete practice.

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My sister and i sing. And we sing well. Sometimes friends and family will ask us to sing but if we are not together, we feel uncomfortable doing it alone. Alot of the times we need a few drinks to loosen us up. How do you get over the fear of singing in front of large groups and also how to do it without someone?

The best thing is just to do it over and over. If you really know the music that you want to sing, it helps tremendously because you aren't focusing on words; you begin to focus on your audience and conveying meaning to the song.
You could also just imagine that your sister is there beside you even when she isn't It just takes a little time and practice then the confidence will come.

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i`m completely into music [i play violin] and i love it s0o0o0o much! i`ve been playing classical and fiddle/improv for almost 7 years. my mom and classical teacher want me to continue with classical and do that as mmy career and take it more seriously. my improv and fiddle teachers want me to take classical until college but then go into fiddle and improvisation. i`m not sure how to handle all this cause i really am starting to dislike a lot of classical music that my teacher wants for me. but she is a great person and player [carnegie hall and debut at age 10!!!!!!] i think maybe i should try some new classical crap but i`m not sure if this will fix my problem..

thankssss i rate*-- xoxox

It is good to have both of these genres under your hat because it makes you more marketable. Talk to your teacher about how you are feeling. There is a point in your career where you may have to choose. There is probably a lot more opportunity to earn prizes and scholarships with the classical bend, but the improv would be more useful in a band situation. It is not up to me to make your decision, but you won't have to give up improv forever. They are just trying to focus you into the best opportunity that they know. I hope to see you on my stage (ok I don't own it, I just work here).

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i'm 13 and all i ever want is to sing and listen to music. I really want to get alot better but besides lessons idk how. i just want to be a good singer that people want to hear.
how do i do that?

Joining the choir at school is a great idea. You might try finding a store that has karaoke. It provides you with the music and words, and you sing. You can get disks and machines at Wal-mart. They can be expensive or inexpensive. You can probably also join the choir at church. Tell your parents your interested, and they might be able to help.

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Why do people who don't know shit about music insist on "answering" some of these questions, when they have absolutely nothing to offer?

I mean, if I were to ask the best way to resolve a chord progression, there would be at least 4 people who would answer by saying that they have no clue. Why? Why do these people feel compelled to answer on subjects they don't know jack-shit about?

p.s. - if you don't play guitar, don't answer guitar questions. If you don't play music, don't answer questions about how to play something or about music theory.

Thank you, that is all.

Dearest jerk,
There are some general music things that I know to be true even though I haven't played in years. This is not the be all end all of advice. This is supposed to be fun, and snobby people like you make musicians out to be self-centered fools, and I know that they are really interesting people. I promise not to answer stuff that is over my head, but there are a few "common sense" items that I have privy to.
So quit being so serious and go play your guitar.

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Ok...I want a guitar. Badly. I've wanted to buy one and learn how to play it for like 3 years now. But, I know absolutely nothing about it. So could someone please tell me what's a good guitar to start out with??? Ahhh, I feel stupid. ThankYOU.

Do you have friends that have guitars? Or maybe a neighbor? You could ask them if you could spend some time with them and their guitar. This way you have the advice of someone who is already playing, and you will be more comfortable with your purchase. There are numerous little store that sell used equipment: music stores and pawn shops. Some of the music stores let you play with the instruments with some restriction.

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How does one keep their voice in good condition during the three-month span of everyday musical practice? {ie, practice for a musical}

I'm aiming to a lead role and I want to know how to keep my voice intact.

Whatever you do, don't whisper or clear your throat by making noise. It is in effect slamming your vocal chords together. If you strain your voice and it doesn't get well after a day or two, see a doctor. If you must clear your throat, suck in some air. The others below me are on the money as well.

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These are some of the singers I like:
Simon & Garfunkel
Indigo Girls
Christine Kane
Paul Simon
James Taylor
They Might Be Giants
Dar Williams
Woody Guthrie
Natalie Merchant
Other CDs I own include Edith Piaf, The Canadian Brass Ensemble, The Charlie Daniels Band, Enya, Counting Crows, and soundtracks for Fiddler on the Roof, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Sister Act.

What other artists/bands might you suggest that I might like?

Barnaked Ladies
Waylon Jennings
Godspell
10,000 Maniacs
The Who
Jesus Christ Superstar
Dave Matthews Band
Crosby, Stills, and Nash
Ain't Misbehavin'
Duke Ellington
Neil Young
Tom Petty
Paul Simon
Norah Jones
Alison Krauss
Alabama
Eagles
Jerry Reed
David Allan Coe
Creedence Clearwater Revival
Marty Robbins
John Mayer
Jewel

The absolute most fun thing to do is visit the library and listen at random. The other one is find a small independent record seller or "reseller" that lets you audition new and different CDs.

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The musical director at my theatre company has asked everyone who plays an instrument to bring it with them to the next rehearsal. I travel to rehearsals on the bus so I'm not sure whether I should. The cello doesn't belong to me but to the County music service although the case is my own( it's a hard case at least). The cello is on my Household Insurance.

Do you think I should bring it or not? I have been specifically asked to bring it because there is a shortage of bass instruments.

As long as the cello and you share a seat, you will probably do just fine. I see cellos travel on large trucks travel safely all the time.
You might ask the venue if they have a locker or other lockable place to store it if you should need to. Break a leg.

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Ok, I play guitar..I have a guitar (always comes in handy), an amp and an fx pad. Answer this! What should I ask for when Christmas comes round?

Sheet music is good. Lessons are good. When I was a small child, we used a cheesy tape recorder so that I could practice what my piano playing sounded like (well, I don't play anymore, but it was worth it). There are small inexpensive recorders out there with good quality if you want something cool. It is easier and easier to print your own CDs these days as well. Get on the net and do some research!

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